Jewelry

A category for objects of personal adornment—such as rings, bracelets, necklaces, earrings, and pendants. Since antiquity, jewelry has often fulfilled a functional as well as decorative role, whether as protective and magical talismans or signifiers of wealth and power. Jewelry was also used to distinguish members of a particular religion or indicate social status, a tradition that persists to this day along with the custom of giving jewels as tokens of love and friendship. The art of jewelry-making includes intricate and delicate metalwork, gem engraving, enamel painting, and all different aspects of design.